Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2563, Abner Goodnow, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Goodnow, Abner or Goodnough.
No. 2563.
Esther
CONTENTS

15601
Massachusetts
Abner Goodnow of Franklin in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Ward of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Mass a line for 10 m th private
M ch 1834.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of June 1833 and sent to E. Alvord Greenfield Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $66.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " 16.67 $83.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book E
Vol. D
Page
29
M ch 1834
Clerk,

73
Franklin

2771 Massachusetts. 2444 82 Esther Goodnow widow of Abner Goodnow who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private Massachusetts M c Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 33 Dollars 33. Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of November 1853 and sent to Mrs. T. Keely Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 40 Vol. A
Reg 3 rd Mass 80362

Abner Goodnow Deerfield 22336
Abner Goodnow

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY ss.
ON THIS twenty ninth day of August A. D. 1832 at a Probate Court , personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Richard S. Newcomb Judge of Probate Court of Common Pleas of the 3 d County in the said Commonwealth, now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin, Abner Goodnow a resident of Deerfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. I enlisted as a soldier of the revolution in the four first of July (I can tell the day) A. D. 1775 for four months. And served at that time of four months as a guard stationed at Worcester. Worcester County Massachusetts. The only officer was my father Thomas Goodnow the sergeant of the guard. I re-enlisted in Shrewsbury in 3 d County and joining said Worcester. I was in the State Service of Massachusetts General Ward visited us while we were at Worcester. We were stationed at Worcester aforesaid to guard the Continental Stores etc. I never had any written discharge. I also again enlisted in the four part of November A. D. 1777. The day I can not tell, for six months or served six months. We were under the command of Capt. Ward. Lt. Joseph Ruggles. Ensign Joseph Sumner. They were able superior officers, that had command of us. I re-enlisted in Shrewsbury aforesaid when I enlisted for this period of service. We went from said Shrewsbury & were stationed at Rutland in 3 d County of Worcester to guard the British prisoners taken at the time Burgoyne surrendered. I was in the Massachusetts Service at this time. When my time was out I went home. I had no written discharge. I have no documentary proof to prove my service - and I do not know that I can prove my service by any living witness that did duty with me, or was with me. I left the service this last period of my service some time in May A. D. 1778 - I can not tell the day.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Abner Goodnow R. S. Newcomb Judge of Probate
WE, Sylvester S. Newcomb and William Lovridge both
residing in P. Deerfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abner Goodnow who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy one years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. R. S. Newcomb Judge of Probate Sylvester S. Newcomb William Lovridge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Sylvester S. Newcomb and William Lovridge who have severally signed the preceding certificate are severally residents in said town of Deerfield and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And that the two clergymen resident in said Deerfield have been recently settled there and do not reside in the neighborhood of said applicant.
Register R. S. Newcomb Judge of Probate I, ELIJAH ALVORD , Clerk of the said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abner Goodnow for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this 29 th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
E. Alvord Reg Prob Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Franklin ss:
On this 30 th day of August 1853. personally appeared before me Horatio G. Parker, Judge of Probate within and for said County of Franklin Esther Goodnough a resident of Deerfield in said County of State aforesaid, aged Eighty four years, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed the 3 rd of February, 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war; that she is the widow of Abner Goodnow, who was a private in the Revolutionary Army, and who received a pension for and as such soldier and private of thirty two Dollars per Annum as appears by the records of the Pension Office & the certificate of his said pension here with produced,
She further declares that she was married to said Abner Goodnough A. D. 1822, that her said Husband died at Deerfield - October 25 th 1852, that she was not married to him prior to the second of January eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated,
She further declares that she

is now a widow, Esther Goodnough her mark ✓
I sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me - before me H. G. Parker. Witness my hand Judge of Probate & seal of Office
Franklin ss. On this 30 th day of August 1853 personally appeared Sarahett Goodnough & Eleanor Goodnough both of Deerfield in said County and made oath that they are well acquainted with Esther Goodnough the signer of the above Affidavit, and that she is the identical person she therein represents herself to be - and that she has not been married since the death of her said husband Abner Goodnough & I certify they are credible witnesses Sarahett Goodnough Eleanor A Goodnough
Before me H. G. Parker Judge of Probate -
I Stephen W. Williams of Deerfield in the County of Franklin, do depose & say that I have been the family physician of the before named Goodnough Abner for more than thirty years, that the above named Esther Goodnough was his wife by his other second marriage.

3 marriage. That she is the identical person who is now and ever has been a widow since the decease of the said Abner. And I Rufus Rice of Danfield aforesaid do depose & say that Ester Goodnough before named was at the time of her marriage to Abner Goodnough aforesaid the widow of Moses Rice. That she is my mother. That she was married to Abner Goodnough at the time before stated. That the said Abner died at the time before mentioned That the said Ester is now & ever has been a widow since his decease and that I am disinterested Commonwealth of Massachusetts ) Stephen W Williams Franklin County ss. ) Rufus Rice
On this third day of September 1853. personally appeared before me the above named deponents & read on oath that the foregoing affidavit by them subscribed was true, and certify that they are credible & disinterested witnesses.
John Wilson, Notary Public

Elmer Goodnough

Abner Goodnough born A. D. 1765. Esther Goodnough born A. D. 1768. married 1822. by Rev. David Long Abner Goodnough Died Oct. 25 th 1852
A true copy of the family Record of Abner & Esther Goodnough compared by us the subscribers on this 25 th day of February 1853
C. L. C. Goodnough Ellenor A. Goodnough
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin County ss. Subscribed and sworn to by the above named deponents on this 25 th day of February 1853 and I certify they are credible witnesses.
John Wilson Notary Public

No 22336
Abner Goodnow. Franklin County Massachusetts
Mar 10 1880
C. Alwood Greenfield Massachusetts

Franklin County  BRIEF in the case of Abner Goodnow in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. State service   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted In 1777. - 4 - private Gen. Ward Capt. Thos. Goodnow   Enlisted - " - 6 - private Capt. Ward,  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Worcester County Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional & living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richd. H. Pratt Examining Clerk.

7 Q.W. WIDOW, &c. am
File No.
2563
Esther Goodnow
Widow
Abner Goodnow
Mid Rev. War.
Act.
Feb. 3. 1858.
Index :—Vol.
a
Page
278
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev.
WIDOW, &c.
Rev.
File No. 2563
Esther Goodnow
Widow
Abner Goodnow
Mid Rev. War.
Act. Feb. 3. 1858.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 278
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sept. 29. 1853
Esther Goodnow now
widow of
Abner Goodnow
Franklin Co
Mass
Nov
Act 3 d Feb y 1853 —
Adm l $33. 33 / 100 per annum
Comm d 3 d February 1853
John T. Neely { Present {

Washington D.C. Sept. 27. 1853
Sir:
Enclosed please find the Declaration of Mrs. Esther Goodnow Widow of Abner Goodnow a Revolutionary Soldier and a Pensioner from the State of Massachusetts for a Pension under the second section of the act 3 rd Feb. 1853
Yours very Respectfully
M c L. Kelly
To the Commissioner of Pensions

Washington D.C.
Oct. 21. 1853
Sir.
Enclosed I send the Pension Certificate required in the case of Mrs. Esther Goodnow, widow of Abner, of Massachusetts, for pension under Second Section act of 3 d Feb. 1853, as required in your letter of yesterday.
Yours
Very Respectfully
G. T. Neeley
To Commissioner of Pensions

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Howe Goodnow which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No Clergymans Certificate Witness
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Witness
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Abner Goodnow 1.50 Deerfield
Payments to be made at Boston Massachusetts by The First National Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of J. H. G.
Mar. 4-1837 17 yrs. in Deerfield Pension in Name of Mrs. Abner Goodnow
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 2 Page 29 by N. H. Hags Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abner Goodnow of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Thirty three dollars and Thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this Twentieth day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three
Acting John P. Kirtland Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Brief in the case of Esther Goodnow, widow of Abner Goodnow, Franklin County and State of Massachusetts act 3 rd February 1853.
Claim, ("original," or  for  increase  or )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of June 7, 1832, as private, at $33. 33 / 100 per annum
Marriage proved by duly verified copy of family record
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
John T. Ruelly Esq. Pennant
Name and residence of Agent
R. Giddon
Examining Clerk.

Died Oct. 25, 1852
Card verified copy of family record Wood case.

Sept. 29, 1858
Appl. of South
Goodnough,
widow of
Abner,
15601
Franklin co.,
Mass.
1133
act. 153.832
Rev.
John Nelly,
Present
Grants for Pensions

Pension Office Nov r 1. 1853
Sir,
Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid; and, if in your power, the date of his death.
Very respectfully Your obedt Servt
D. Carr For Commr. Pension
H t Burt Esqr 3 d Auditor, Present.
Abner Goodwin, act 1832 $33.33 p. an. - Paid to 1 st Sept. 1852, no date of death on our Books.
Oliver L. Pierce Asst. Auditor.

No. 3267
Esther Goodnow, widow of Abner Goodnow Let to John T. Neely Oct 20/53 (Rh)
Rev.
Ad 30 Feb 1853

Edith Goddard Ward Homer
S Addis Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

I Thomas Goodnow of Rowe in the county of Franklin, and State of Massachusetts do hereby testify and say that Abner Goodnow of Danfield in said county, was in the service of his country in the Revolutionary War, (according to the best of my recollection) as follows, viz, In the state service at Worcester, in the state of Massachusetts guarding Military stores &c, the term of four months from the first part of July to the first part of November in the year 1777, and also from said November for about the term of six months, the said Abner continued in said service and was stationed at Rutland in the county of Worcester & State of Massachusetts, guarding prisoners &c, at the United States Barracks & was discharged sometime in May 1778, Witness my hand Thomas Goodnow Franklin County ss, -
On this eighteenth day of August AD 1832 personally appeared, Thomas Goodnow and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed, and certify that the said Thomas is a credible person
Before me Solomon Root, Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss.
I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Solomon Reed Esq. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been verified is a Justice of the Peace for the said county. And that his name thereto subscribed appears to me to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Greenfield on the twenty ninth day of August A. D. 1832.
E. Alvord Clerk

Abner Goodnow Aff
Abner Goodnow